Apply for UK or US graduate schools?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the considerations for applying to graduate schools in the UK versus the US, particularly for a student majoring in Materials Science & Engineering. Participants explore various factors influencing their decision, including career prospects, scholarship availability, and admission ease, as well as the implications of applying while still an undergraduate.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the US may offer better career and research opportunities compared to the UK, citing recent funding cuts in the UK and a lack of industries outside of banking.
  • Another participant expresses concerns about the affordability of studying in the UK, indicating that even if admitted, the fees would be prohibitive.
  • A participant from China comments on the educational system in their country, noting a lack of emphasis on physics and a focus on more profitable areas.
  • A participant from Vietnam mentions the bleak future of scientific research in their country and raises the possibility of studying in Japan, suggesting that scholarship availability might be better there than in the UK or US.
  • There is a question about whether one can apply for the October 2011 intake while still an undergraduate, which remains unaddressed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the merits of studying in the UK versus the US, with some favoring the US for better opportunities and others highlighting financial constraints in the UK. The discussion does not reach a consensus on which option is superior.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors such as funding cuts, scholarship availability, and the competitive nature of admissions, but these points are not resolved or agreed upon.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering graduate studies in the UK or US, particularly those from countries with developing educational systems or financial constraints.

Jeffrey.P
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Hi everyone, I'm a newbie in this forum :) I have some questions regarding application for graduate study and need your help.
I'm currently a year 3 student and coming to final year of undergraduate life, majoring in Materials Science & Engineering. I'm considering apply for graduate schools in UK or US, but don't know which one is better. Of course, anyone can say I may apply for both. However, I also need to prepare for either IELTS or TOEFL+GRE and these are somewhat associated with my university choice. May I ask for your suggestion of UK or US, given two universities of similar quality, regarding some criteria:
- preference of industry/research institutions (in other word, my future career)
- availability of scholarship
- which one tends to be easier to get in.

In addition, I'm going to graduate in June 2011. Can I apply for Oct 2011 intake this year (while I'm still in undergrad) or I have to wait until I got the bachelor degree and apply for Oct 2012 intake?

Pls help! ^^
Thanks everyone.
 
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Jeffrey.P said:
Hi everyone, I'm a newbie in this forum :) I have some questions regarding application for graduate study and need your help.
I'm currently a year 3 student and coming to final year of undergraduate life, majoring in Materials Science & Engineering. I'm considering apply for graduate schools in UK or US, but don't know which one is better. Of course, anyone can say I may apply for both. However, I also need to prepare for either IELTS or TOEFL+GRE and these are somewhat associated with my university choice. May I ask for your suggestion of UK or US, given two universities of similar quality, regarding some criteria:
- preference of industry/research institutions (in other word, my future career)
- availability of scholarship
- which one tends to be easier to get in.

In addition, I'm going to graduate in June 2011. Can I apply for Oct 2011 intake this year (while I'm still in undergrad) or I have to wait until I got the bachelor degree and apply for Oct 2012 intake?

Pls help! ^^
Thanks everyone.

I am in the UK,

Don't come here, go to US or perhaps China, UK has recently had its funding budget slashed again thanks to bailing out banks.
There are no industries here other than banking

Absolutely nearly zero scholarship for foreign student

Well, with all that conditions, not many people, by choice would do Phd here, the top of the top would go to America, its more competitive but you do have better career opportunity and probably better research opportunity.
 
Hello!I`m a Chinese.Our country has been rapidly developing,but it has a long distance behind from US or UK,especially in eduacation system and concept .I am majoring inapplied physics in NEU China,but physics are not so emphasized as the others.Many people and some governments only highly concentrate on profitable area.What are you from?And what is this case in your country ?
 
Hi, it seems that my dream of studying in UK was pronounced an end :) I really cannot afford for the fee in UK, even if I am admitted. I'm from Vietnam and studying in Nat Univ of Singapore. The future of scientific research in VN is even darker than China! In fact, majoring in computing or real estate or biz would be better choices, in the case of VN, haha.
So, how about Japan? anyone have some ideas? Studying in JP would have a drawback of language. they are not native english speaker (so, I'll be fitted easier but my command in English will never improve ^^). I believe scientific research in JP is excellent too. Scholarship availability may be even more than UK and US :)
 
Hi, anyone has some comment?
 

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